Abstract: A system for placement of a medical device in a body passage including a first and second guidewire, each configured with magnets on their distal ends. The guidewires are inserted through different access sites of a body passage and blindly connected using the magnets. The first guidewire is inserted into a first insertion site and the second guidewire is inserted into a second insertion site. Once the distal ends of the guidewires are attached, the second guidewire can then be removed from the first insertion site, detached from the first guidewire and attached to a medical device. The distal end of the second guidewire can then be pulled through the second insertion site to guide the medical device into a desired location in the body passage.

Abstract: An intravenous oxygenator having hollow, gas-permeable fibers extending between a distal manifold and a proximal manifold that permit diffusion of gases between the blood vessel and interior of the fibers A rotatable support member extends through the proximal manifold and into the distal manifold. The support member has a lumen in communication with the distal manifold so that oxygen-containing gases flow through the support member, distal manifold, fibers, and proximal manifold. An impeller is attached to and rotated by the support member to enhance blood flow around the fibers.

Abstract: A percutaneous oxygenator is used to induce a retrograde perfusion of oxygenated blood in a vein to a compromised organ (e.g., to the brain following a stroke, or to the heart following a heart attack). The oxygenator has an occluding balloon and an oxygenation balloon located upstream from the occluding balloon. A plurality of hollow gas-permeable fibers surround the oxygenation balloon. The oxygenator is inserted into a vein downstream from the compromised organ. An external supply of air/oxygen is connected to create a flow through the fibers and thereby oxygenate blood in the surrounding vein. A retrograde flow of oxygenated blood is induced in the vein to the compromised organ by first inflating the occluding balloon to occlude the vein and then inflating the oxygenation balloon. Both balloons are then deflated to permit the normal antegrade flow of blood through the vein. This process of inflation and deflation is periodically repeated at a rate of about 30 to 60 cycles per minute.

Abstract: An intravenous fiber membrane oxygenator is disclosed in several embodiments wherein the fibers either run at a transverse angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the oxygenator and/or are of a reduced length to optimize the gas transfer efficiency of the oxygenator. Various helical or spiral wraps of fibers are disclosed. One embodiment utilizes two sets of longitudinally extending fibers wherein the oxygen gas is moved in opposite directions from a central location of the oxygenator.

Abstract: An inflatable percutaneous oxygenator has an inflatable balloon suitable for insertion into a blood vessel. Oxygen is circulated through a number of gas-permeable passageways (such as hollow gas-permeable fibers) adjacent to the balloon surface to permit diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the blood vessel and the passageways. Pulsatile flow can be used to increase the rate of cross-diffusion of gases. A pump is used to alternately expand and contract the balloon. This causes movement of the passageways within the blood vessel to minimize streaming or channeling of the blood flow around the oxygenator, maximizes turbulence in the bloodstream, and therefore maximizes diffusion of gases. In one alternative embodiment, the balloon is made of a gas-permeable material and is inflated with oxygen to supplement cross-diffusion of gases with the bloodstream.

Abstract: A percutaneous intravenous oxygenator includes a plurality of hollow gas permeable fibers formed into a plurality of loops with one end of the fiber loops being connected to a source of oxygen while the opposite end is connected to a vacuum source. The oxygenator is insertable into a blood vessel such that when oxygen is drawn into the fiber loops, it will diffuse through the walls of the fibers into oxygen deficient blood passing thereby while excess carbon dioxide in the blood will pass in a reverse or cross diffusion pattern through the walls of the fibers into the interior thereof for removal from the fiber loops by the vacuum source. Two separate embodiments for moving the fibers to prevent streaming of blood past the oxygenator are disclosed for optimal cross diffusion of the gases.

Abstract: An inflatable percutaneous oxygenator has an inflatable balloon suitable for insertion into a blood vessel. Oxygen is circulated through a number of gas-permeable passageways (such as hollow gas-permeable fibers) adjacent to the balloon surface to permit diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the blood vessel and the passageways. Pulsatile flow can be used to increase the rate of cross-diffusion of gases. A pump is used to alternately expand and contract the balloon. This causes movement of the passageways within the blood vessel to minimize streaming or channeling of the blood flow around the oxygenator, maximizes turbulence in the blood stream, and therefore maximizes diffusion of gases. In one alternative embodiment, the balloon is made of a gas-permeable material and is inflated with oxygen to supplement cross-diffusion of gases with the bloodstream.

Abstract: A method of anesthetizing a patient includes the steps of providing a plurality of gas permeable tubes, providing means for injecting an anesthetizing gas onto the tubes, inserting the tubes within a blood vessel of a patient and injecting an anesthetizing gas into the tubes so that the gas can diffuse through the tubes into the blood steam to anesthetize the patient. The anesthetizing gas may be an original source of such gas or a vaporizer may be added to a gas line passing to the gas permeable tubes so that oxygen can be passed through the line and a liquid anesthetic vaporized in the vaporizer so that the oxygen carries the vaporized anesthetic into the tubes.

Abstract: An inflatable percutaneous oxygenator has an inflatable balloon suitable for insertion into a blood vessel. Oxygen is circulated through a number of gas-permeable passageways (such as hollow gas-permeable fibers) adjacent to the balloon surface to permit diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the blood vessel and the passageways. A pump is used to alternately expand and contract the balloon. This causes movement of the passageways within the blood vessel to minimize streaming or channeling of the blood flow around the oxygenator, maximizes turbulence in the blood stream, and therefore maximizes diffusion of gases. An external connector has lumens that supply a flow of oxygen to the passageways, exhaust gas from the passageways, and allow inflation and deflation of the balloon by the pump.

Abstract: A percutaneous oxygenator has a Y-shaped tubular connector and a number of hollow, gas-permeable fibers. One end of each fiber is located in the first upper arm of the connector. The other end of each fiber is located in the other upper arm of the connector, with each fiber forming a loop extending out of the lower opening of the connector. To guide insertion of the device into a patient's vein, and to provide structural support for the fiber loops, a support member extends downward from the connector with an aperture at is distal end. Each of the fiber loops pass through this aperture. The device is inserted through a single small incision into the patient's venous system. An oxygen supply is attached to one of the upper arms of the connector and flows through the length of the fiber loops. Oxygen and carbon dioxide diffuse across the fiber walls between the blood and the interior of the fiber tubes.

Abstract: A percutaneous oxygenator has a Y-shaped tubular connector and a number of hollow, gas-permeable fibers. One end of each fiber is located in the first upper arm of the connector. The other end of each fiber is located in the other upper arm of the connector, with each fiber forming a loop extending out of the lower opening of the connector. To guide insertion of the device into a patient's vein, and to provide structural support for the fiber loops, a support member extends downward from the connector with an aperture at is distal end. Each of the fiber loops pass through this aperture. The device is inserted through a single small incision into the patient's venous system. An oxygen supply is attached to one of the upper arms of the connector. Oxygen flows through the hollow fibers and diffusion through the fiber wall into the blood. Carbon dioxide diffuses across the fiber wall from the blood into the interior of the fiber tubes.

Abstract: A multi-lumen catheter is formed by first introducing one end of an expandable tube into the blood vessel. A divider is then inserted into the distal end of the tube and extends the length of the tube, thereby dividing the tube into a plurality of the separate lumens. Insertion of the divider causes radial expansion of the tube which substantially seals the opening in the wall of the vessel. In one embodiment, the divider has a hollow triangular cross-section which creates four separate lumens. A series of raised protrusions extending outwardly from the sides of the divider prevent collapse of the tube against the divider.

Abstract: A venous catheter having a central flexible lumen with a formed fluid passageway therein and a plurality of collapsible lumens mounted around the periphery of the central flexible lumen also having formed fluid passageways therein. The central flexible lumen being formed of material which is capable of retaining its shape with or without fluid flowing therethrough. Each collapsible lumen being formed from material which is normally collapsed in a small cross-sectional area and which is further capable of expanding when fluid is flowing therein to a cross-sectional area much greater than that when collapsed. The catheter being capable of being inserted through the center of an insertion needle in the collapsed state into the vein of a patient.